U.S. patent application number 13/154566 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for image forming apparatus and network system.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Odagiri.
Application Number | 20110304872 13/154566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45096012 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110304872 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Odagiri; Hiroshi |
December 15, 2011 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND NETWORK SYSTEM
Abstract
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus
including a storage section which holds a job instructed by a user
and data to be used for the job, a display section which displays
that the job is present based on an association between the job
held in the storage section and the user who instructed the job,
and a control section which permits the display section to display
that the job associated with the user who instructed the job is
present based on the association with the user who instructed the
job held in the storage section.
Inventors: |
Odagiri; Hiroshi;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) |
Assignee: |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
45096012 |
Appl. No.: |
13/154566 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61352954 |
Jun 9, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1285 20130101;
G06F 21/608 20130101; G03G 15/00 20130101; G06F 3/1204 20130101;
H04N 1/00514 20130101; H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04N 1/00397
20130101; H04N 1/00424 20130101; G03G 15/5091 20130101; G06F 21/00
20130101; H04N 1/00482 20130101; H04N 1/00474 20130101; G06K 15/005
20130101; H04N 1/4426 20130101; G03G 2215/00109 20130101; G06F
3/1267 20130101; H04N 1/00 20130101; G06F 3/1238 20130101; H04N
1/444 20130101; H04N 1/00411 20130101; G06F 3/1222 20130101; H04N
1/4413 20130101; G03G 15/502 20130101; H04N 1/00477 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.13 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/02 20060101
G06K015/02 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage section which
holds a job instructed by a user and data to be used for the job; a
display section which displays that the job is present based on an
association between the job held in the storage section and the
user who instructed the job; and a control section which permits
the display section to display that the job associated with the
user who instructed the job is present based on the association
with the user who instructed the job held in the storage
section.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an authentication
section authenticating the user who instructed the job held in the
storage section.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control section permits
the display section to display that the job associated with the
user who instructed the job is present if the authentication
section authenticates the user who instructed the job held in the
storage section.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display that the job associated with the user
who instructed the job is present and attributes of the job.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display that the job associated with the user
who instructed the job is present and attributes of the job using
an identifiable display form.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display that the job associated with the user
who instructed the job is present and input display capable of
inputting instructions corresponding to attributes of the job if
the authentication section authenticates the user who instructed
the job held in the storage section.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display the attributes of the job associated
with the user who instructed the job using an identifiable display
form.
8. A method of instructing start of private printing comprising:
holding a job instructed by a user and data to be used for the job;
permitting a display region to display that the job associated with
the user who instructed the job is present based on association
between the job held in the holding and the user who instructed the
job.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: authenticating the
user who instructed the job held in the holding.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the display region is caused
to display that the job associated with the user who instructed the
job is present if the user who instructed the job held in the
holding is authenticated.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the display region is caused to
display that the job associated with the user who instructed the
job is present and attributes of the job.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the display region is caused to
display attributes of the job associated with the user who
instructed the job using an identifiable display form.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the display region is caused to
display that the job associated with the user who instructed the
job is present and input display capable of inputting instructions
corresponding to attributes of the job if the user who instructed
the job held in the holding is authenticated.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the display region is caused to
display the attributes of the job associated with the user who
instructed the job using an identifiable display form.
15. A network system comprising: an image forming apparatus
including, a display section which displays that the job is present
based on an association between the job held in the storage section
and the user who instructed the job; and a control section which
permits the display section to display that the job associated with
the user who instructed the job is present based on the association
with the user who instructed the job held in the storage section, a
network controller including, a storage section which holds a job
instructed by a user and data to be used for the job; and an
authentication section which authenticates the user who instructed
the job held in the storage section.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display that the job associated with the user
who instructed the job is present and attributes of the job.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display that the job associated with the user
who instructed the job is present and attributes of the job using
an identifiable display form.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display that the job associated with the user
who instructed the job is present and input display capable of
inputting instructions corresponding to attributes of the job if
the authentication section authenticates the user who instructed
the job held in the storage section.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the control section causes the
display section to display the attributes of the job associated
with the user who instructed the job using an identifiable display
form.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the user includes a client PC
connected to the network controller.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/352,954 filed on
Jun. 9, 2010, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated
herein reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image
forming apparatus and to control a job with personal security.
BACKGROUND
[0003] To instruct printout of an image from an arbitrary PC
(Personal Computer) or a user (client) with respect to an arbitrary
MFP (an image forming apparatus called a Multi-Functional
peripheral) positioned on the network, in possible.
[0004] Today, in an MFP (on the network), if a user (client) who
instructed a job such as printout or the like is authenticated, it
is possible to set operation restrictions (manipulation authority)
such that only functions available for the authorized user (client)
are activated. Since the physical distance to the user (PC) is
taken into consideration, in addition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of a
network system with an MFP according to an embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of display
(image) in a display of a user interface unit of the MFP according
to an embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of a
flowchart of controlling a job with personal security with the MFP
according to an embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of display
(image) in a display of a user interface unit of the MFP according
to an embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of a
flowchart of controlling a job with personal security with the MFP
according to an embodiment; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of display
(image) in a display of a user interface unit of the MFP according
to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In general, according to an embodiment, an image forming
apparatus comprising: a storage section which holds a job
instructed by a user and data to be used for the job; a display
section which displays that the job is present based on an
association between the job held in the storage section and the
user who instructed the job; and a control section which permits
the display section to display that the job associated with the
user who instructed the job is present based on the association
with the user who instructed the job held in the storage
section.
[0012] Embodiments will now be described hereinafter in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an example of an outline of an MFP
(Multi-Functional Peripheral, an electronic apparatus).
[0014] An MFP 1 includes at least an image forming section 3, a
data managing section 5, a communication control section 7, and a
system control section 9. The image forming section 3 visualizes an
image or a character on the basis of data of an arbitrary format
and outputs the image or the character onto a sheet medium. The
data managing section 5 receives data and manages the data for
execution of a job such as print output or storage. The
communication control section 7 manages transmission and reception
of the data to and from a communication line (a network). The
system control section 9 controls the operation of the image
forming section 3, the data managing section 5, and the
communication control section 7, i.e., the MFP 1.
[0015] The MFP 1 is connected to an arbitrary number of users
(clients) 101, 102, . . . , and N via a network 11. The users
(clients) 101, 102, . . . , and N are, for example, personal
computers (PC), tablet PCs, or smart phones (high-function portable
terminals also called PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)). The users
(clients) 101, 102, . . . , and N handle image data, any one of
photographic data and text data or both, and the like.
[0016] The image forming section 3 includes at least a power supply
unit 31, a scanner unit 32, a memory unit 33, an image forming unit
34, an image processing unit 35, a thumbnail image creating unit
36, user management unit 37 and a process control unit (a process
controller, CPU) 38 configured to control the each of units of the
image forming section 3.
[0017] The power supply unit 31 is connected to a commercial power
supply and generates a secondary voltage used for the operation of
the MFP 1 (from a primary voltage).
[0018] If a format of information such as an image, a character, a
shape, or a color visualized and output onto a sheet medium by the
image forming unit 34 is a non-data format, the scanner unit 32
outputs the information as image data. The scanner unit 32
irradiates light on a sheet-like original document or a
three-dimensional object including information, acquires an
electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the light
reflected on the information (image light), and converts the
electric signal into image data.
[0019] The memory unit 33 stores the image data obtained by the
scanner unit 32 or image data input from the outside. The memory
unit 33 also stores a computer program, an application (software),
an icon (OSD (on screen display) image) to display a job is
present) explained later, or the like.
[0020] The image forming unit 34 visualizes the image data and
outputs the image data onto a sheet medium. As a method for
visualization, an electrostatic transfer system for visualizing,
the image data using a toner and a direct recording system for
visualizing the image data using ink are often used. A hot stamp or
the like for output of special colors (gold and silver) may be used
together with the method.
[0021] The image forming section 3 stores an image output by the
image forming unit 34. The image forming section 3 includes a
feeding mechanism for the sheet medium fed to the image forming
unit 34.
[0022] The image processing unit 35 converts image data read by the
scanner unit 32 and held in the memory unit 33, the output data
from the PC (client), facsimile reception data, or the like into
data for image output required in image formation by the image
forming unit 34. The data conversion by the image processing unit
35 includes processing required at the time of image output such as
color conversion (RGB-CMY), font replacement if the same font as
that designated by the input data is not present, equalization of
the thicknesses of lines and underlines (thickening processing in
accordance with the reproducibility at the time of print output),
for example.
[0023] The thumbnail image creating unit 36 creates a preview image
(a thumbnail image), which is magnified at a predetermined
magnification, for displaying, on the display 93 of the system
control section 9, at least image data for one page of the image
data read by the scanner unit 32, the output data from the PC
(client), or the facsimile reception data.
[0024] The user management unit 37 holds an ID list for user
authentication held by a built-in memory or the memory unit 33, an
identification code used for specifying a user, and an access right
thereof and permits the user authorized by a card reader 92-1, for
example, to perform print output, access print data from the PC,
which is held in the memory 33 (MFP 1) (editing of data to be
printed), view and transfer image information obtained by the
scanner unit 32, or output a received facsimile document (image
output). As the authentication, it is possible to use at least one
or combination of face authentication in which characteristics of
the user's face are recognized, a biometric authentication unit
which recognizes biological characteristics of a user's palm or
finger, and the like, for example, as well as the card reader 92-1.
In addition, the "user authentication" is used for authentication
processing by an ID card (non-contact card) for the MFP 1 under
user management or by a user name and a password or the like and
for obtaining authority information for the functions of the MFP 1
individually available for a user who inputs a user name and a
password (who is authorized by the ID card). The authority
information for the functions of the MFP 1 individually available
for a user name and a password or a user can be rewritten (updated)
by an administrator and managed, if necessary, or at arbitrary
timing, as an ID list held in the built-in memory or the memory
unit 33 of the user management unit 37 for user authentication, an
identification code for specifying a user, and an access right
thereof.
[0025] The data management section 5 includes at least a data input
section 51 which receives input data, a data processing section 52
which performs processing on the data received by the data input
unit 51 in order to execute a job independent from the processing
allocated to the image processing unit 34 of the image forming
section 3 such as development (expansion) for print output,
compression for storage in order to be transferred or the like, a
data output section 53 which outputs data processed by the data
processing section 52 in the form specified by a job, and a data
control unit (data controller) 54 which controls data delivery
between the data input section 51, the data processing section 52,
and the data output section 53.
[0026] The communication control section 7 includes at least a
facsimile (communication) unit 71 connected to a public
communication line and configured to receive or transmit facsimile
data, a LAN (communication) unit 72 connected to an external
network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and configured to
receive or transmit data from or to a network, an extended
interface unit 73 conforming to, for example, a USB (Universal
Serial Bus) standard and configured to receive or transmit data
from or to a partner connected to the extended interface unit 73,
and a communication control unit (a communication controller) 74
configured to control communication with the partner, input,
output, and parallel processing for data, and the like by each of
the facsimile (communication) unit 71, the LAN (communication) unit
72, and the extended interface unit 73.
[0027] The system control section 9 includes at least a main
control block (an MPU) 91 and a user interface unit 92 (to which
the display (a display unit) 93 integrally including a touch panel
(an operation panel) is connected). The user interface unit 92
includes a card reader 92-1, also. The MPU 91 is interconnected to
a process controller 37, the data controller 54, and a
communication controller 74 of the sections/units explained above
and controls the sections/units.
[0028] The MPU 91 is connected to a user interface section 92 and
outputs, while receiving an instruction input for start or stop of
the operation of the sections, condition setting, or the like from
an input panel area included in the user interface section 92, a
control signal for controlling the operation of the sections
according to the instruction input. If, identification information
(the medium for authentication) is an ID card, a reading section is
prepared in, for example, an armor housing of the scanner unit 32.
The medium for authentication (personal authentication) may be a
radio ID card. When the medium for authentication is the radio ID
card, an antenna and an authentication processing circuit that can
input an input signal, i.e., an authentication result to the user
interface section 92 are prepared in the armor housing of the
scanner unit 32.
[0029] The touch panel (the display) 93 detects an instruction
(control) input by a touch of a finger of the user and inputs
(instructs), for example, start of copying or scanning, display of
scan data or facsimile data, start of the image combination or the
like to the MPU 91.
[0030] The MPU 91 is connected to a timer unit 94. The timer unit
94 stores year (yyyy), month (mm), day (DD), hour (HH), and minute
(MM) with reference to a clock generated by a clock generating unit
(CLK) incorporated in the timer unit 94. For operation of the MPU
91, the clock generating unit (CLK) may be provided in the system
control section 9. For counting of time or storage of time data by
the timer unit 94, for example, the frequency of the commercial
power supply input to the power supply unit 31 of the image forming
section 3 may be used or time data (a time-information service
signal) included in a broadcast signal (of a space wave) may be
directly received.
[0031] The arbitrary users (clients) 101, 102, . . . , and N can
instruct the MFP 1 to perform print out (output of visualized image
data, any one of photographic data and text data or both, or the
like to a sheet medium) and facsimile transmission. The users can
capture facsimile data received by the MFP 1 or image data,
photographic data, or the like acquired by the scanner unit 32.
[0032] In addition, a user who instructed the private printing
(security printout with an authentication of the client (personal
print)) instructs print output (printout) and then moves to the
vicinity of the MFP 1 for authentication between the user (client)
and the MFP 1 and for obtaining the print output. That is,
according to the personal print, it is possible to avoid print
output being collected by a third person by mistake due to the
physical distance between the user and the MFP by the request for
authentication between the MFP 1 and the user by the user who
instructed the print output. On the other hand, user authentication
is not usually omitted.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a display example of the display 93 when the
authentication between the MFP 1 and the user who instructed the
aforementioned private printing is established and the private
printing is permitted.
[0034] That is, it is possible to specify a user who instructed
printing by the completion (establishment) of authentication in the
MFP 1. Accordingly, the display of the display 93 in the MFP 1
shows a state in which a mode selection button display is displayed
such as "BASIC" (basic mode) display 93-1 in which ordinary copying
can be performed, "PRINT" (print mode) display 93-2 in which it is
possible to set output form at the time of print mode such as image
synthesis at the time of copying, image synthesis for scanned data
or facsimile data, partial deletion, and the like, "PROGRAM"
(program addition or deletion mode) display 93-3 which is activated
for adding or deleting a program or at the time of updating,
"SETTING" (setting mode) display 93-4 in which it is possible to
change operation conditions (setting) for a user or an
administrator, or the like. If, the "BASIC" (basic mode) accepts a
simple copy job for which the number of sheets output is limited
with a certain upper limit even in a non-authenticated state and
for a non-authenticated person.
[0035] The indicators shown in FIG. 2 are displayed on the basis
of, for example, font data and GUI (Graphical User Interface) data
(including display rules) stored by the memory unit 33. The data
and the display rules (the GUI data) for the indicators may be
firmware of the MPU 91. The data and the display rules for the
indicators can be updated through, for example, the extended
interface unit 73.
[0036] The display example shown in FIG. 2 is an example in which a
display screen based on default setting ("BASIC" (basic mode)
display 93-1 in which ordinary copying can be performed) is
displayed, the display including magnification input display 93-11
for accepting magnification setting during copying, output mode
setting display 93-12 for accepting the setting of double-sided
copy or an "N in 1" mode in which N (N is any of 1, 2, 4, or 8)
pages are decreased in size and output on one page, discharge
method designation display 93-13 for accepting the selection of a
post-processing method for the output sheet such as stapling or the
like, concentration setting display 93-14 for accepting the setting
of tones at the time of copying and of reproducibility
characteristics when photographs are included, sheet supply source
selection display 93-15 for accepting the selection of the size of
the sheet used for print output, which can be changed by a user,
and the like.
[0037] In addition, FIG. 2 shows an example in which a start button
92-2 which instructs the start of print output based on the
conditions set in each display 93-nn (n is any number from "0" to
"9"), a clear button 92-3 with which it is possible to input the
control command for changing the set condition again to the
previous one, a numeric button 92-4 with which it is possible to
input a command corresponding to a number from "0" to "9" in order
to input a numeric value such as the number of sheets output,
magnification, and the like are placed at a predetermined positions
in the user interface 92 holding the display 93. In addition, a
card reader 92-1 is placed at a predetermined position of the user
interface 92 shown in FIG. 2, which is for reading an ID card for
user authentication, for example, specifying a user, and making the
functions permitted to the user available.
[0038] The display example shown in FIG. 2 further includes
authorized user job display 93-5 and 93-6, each of which shows
attribution of a job as an icon or an identifier (thumbnail)
obtained by decreasing an image of a user's face or the like in
size when there is a job relating to the authorized user
(instructed by the authorized user). In addition, although FIG. 2
shows an example in which there are two kinds of authorized user
job display, it is also applicable to display the user name and the
number of jobs if the number of jobs to be displayed exceeds a
predetermined number. Alternatively, it is also applicable to
perform the display while the corresponding number of job display
is partially overlapped with each other in order to display that
there are plural jobs. In addition, the display example shown in
FIG. 2 is an example which shows the "PRINT" display 93-5 in which
one of the jobs is print output (from the PC) and the "SCAN"
display 93-6 which is different from the print output and shows
that the data read by the scanner unit 32 is being held in this
drawing. If two or more print outputs are scheduled, it is possible
to roughly identify the print targets by displaying the thumbnail
of the first (top) page of each print target in an icon form.
[0039] That is, information of available functions permitted to the
authorized user and icons showing the presence of data for private
printing (personal print) instructed by the user, data scanned (by
the scanner), received facsimile data, and the like are displayed
in the display 93 of the MFP 1 for which user authentication was
completed, based on the user information obtained by the card
reader 92-1. In addition, if the (authorized) user touches the
icon, the function of the job specified by the icon is activated,
and the input screen is displayed in the display 93 in which it is
possible to input the control information such as changes in the
number of sheets output, size and kinds of the paper (sheet), the
number of pages (of original data) output in one sheet, and the
like into the same job, based on the control of the MPU 91.
Moreover, it is also possible to perform the aforementioned
operation using the icon 93-5 by selecting the "PRINT" display
([print] tab) 93-2 to display the "PRINT" ([print] mode activation)
screen and selecting private printing in the screen in the display
example shown in FIG. 2 though this is a general operation.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows an operation example when a user (client)
inputs instruction (selection) in the display (user interface)
shown in FIG. 2.
[0041] In the standby state, a "log-in screen" for user
authentication is displayed in the display (touch panel) 93 of the
user interface 92 of the MFP 1 [01]. While the log-in screen is
displayed, user information is read from the ID card held by the
user or a non-contact authentication card through the card reader
92-1, or the user directly inputs a password or the like [02--YES]
to check the presence of [before processing job for person]
approved (specified) for the authorized user [03].
[0042] If the screen display in the display 93 is a "screen for a
copy operation ("BASIC" (basic mode) display in which ordinary
copying can be performed) when the presence of a "before processing
job for person" is checked [03--YES], the checked "before
processing job for person" is displayed as an icon in the same
display [05].
[0043] Hereinafter, if turning on the starting button (start
button) [06--YES], and when selection is instructed (input) from
the icon displaying the "before processing job for person"
[07--YES], the job associated with the selected icon is activated.
For example, if the job instructed by the (authorized) user is
print output, and when the icon touched by the (authorized) user is
the icon 93-5 (see FIG. 2) indicating the print output (from the
PC), the "PRINT" (print mode) display 93-2 is displayed in which
the print mode shown in FIG. 4, for example, can be set. The
"PRINT" (print mode) display 93-2 includes "DUPLEX" (double-sided
mode) display 93a which accepts the setting of double-sided print
in the display being currently displayed by the display 93 when the
setting is changed to the double-sided print, for example, page
number display mode setting display 93b which accepts the setting
of a "PAGE NUMBER" mode for simultaneously printing page numbers or
not displaying the page numbers set (at the time of output from the
PC), rotation mode display 93c which accepts the "ROTATION"
(rotation mode) display 93c for rotating the direction of an image
output on the sheet by 90.degree., and the like. Accordingly, the
(authorized) user can instruct the changes at the time of printing
by instructing (inputting) selection using the icons in the display
being currently displayed without the procedure (steps) for
displaying the "PRINT" (print mode) display from the screen display
(configured in a stepwise manner) through plural operations from
the display screen of the default setting ("BASIC" (basic mode)
display 93-1 in which ordinary copying can be performed) [08].
[0044] In addition, when selection is not instructed (input)
through the icon displaying the "before processing job for person",
or the display after the user authentication is "not the copy mode
(for copy operation), or the "before processing job for person" is
not present until the starting button (start button) is turned on,
the display for the ordinary copying processing, that is, the
"screen for an copy operation ("BASIC" (basic mode) display in
which ordinary copying can be performed) is displayed by turning on
the starting button (start button) (the screen in which the "screen
for a copy operation ("BASIC" (basic mode) display in which
ordinary copying can be performed)" displayed at the time of
activation is maintained in practice) [09].
[0045] FIG. 5 shows a display example of the user interface
(display) when the user who instructed private printing moves to
the vicinity of the MFP and an example of printer operation
activation for the private printing in the MFP shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] In the standby state, a "log-in screen" for user
authentication is displayed in the display (touch panel) 93 of the
user interface 92 of the MFP 1 [11].
[0047] While the log-in screen is displayed, user information is
read from the ID card held by the user or a non-contact
authentication card through the card reader 92-1, or the user
directly inputs a password or the like [12--YES] to check the
presence of [before processing job for person] approved (specified)
for the authorized user [13].
[0048] When the presence of "before processing job for person" is
checked [13--YES], at least the checked "before processing job for
person" is displayed as an icon in the same display of the display
93 [14].
[0049] Hereinafter, when the authorized user selects the operation
(activation of a processing mode) through an arbitrary icon
displayed as a "before processing job for person" [15--YES], and
the start (starting) button is turned on [16--YES], the job
associated with the selected icon is activated, and the processing
thereof is executed [17].
[0050] On the other hand, when the authorized user does not select
(there is no selected input) the arbitrary icon displayed as a
"before processing job for person" [15--NO], and the start
(starting) button is turned on [18--YES], the display is shifted to
the "BASIC (basic mode) display in which ordinary copying can be
performed, and the state is changed to the standby state in which a
copy operation (input) is available ("BASIC" (basic mode) display
in which ordinary copying can be performed) displayed at the time
of activation is maintained in practice) [19].
[0051] In addition, if the icon selected by the user is the one for
scanning (see 93-6 in FIG. 2), for example, the "SCAN" (reading and
processing mode) display 93-102 in which the setting relating to
the processing of scanned data shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, for
example. The "SCAN" (reading and processing mode) display 93-102
includes, for example, "UNDER COLOR REMOVE (base color removal)
setting display 93u in which it is possible to input the setting
for removing the color component of the base (sheet material) of
the reading target, "LANGUAGE" setting display 93v in which it is
possible to input the language at the time of reading (switch
dictionaries to be used for character identification), rotation
mode display 93w which accepts "ROTATION" (rotation mode) for
rotating the direction of character strings by 90.degree.,
protection mode display 93x which accepts "PROTECTION" (protection
mode) in which the storage destination of the read data is set to
the one's own PC which cannot be accessed from the outside or to an
unshared region, common mode display 93y which accepts "COMMON"
(common mode) in which the storage destination of the read data is
set to the shared region which can be freely viewed from the
outside, mode display 93z which accepts "DELETE" (deletion mode)
for the deletion of the read data, and the like.
[0052] That is, after scanning with the "SCAN" (see 93-6 in FIG.
2), the authorized user can set the storage destination of the data
read by the scanner unit 32, realize efficiency in character
recognition (character identification) in the later stage, set the
processing for reducing false recognition of the read data, and the
like.
[0053] In addition, a thumbnail image may be displayed for each
page of the read data. If a specific page was not satisfactorily
read, it is possible to immediately rescan the page by displaying
the thumbnail image (of the respective read pages).
[0054] As described above, the complicated operations until the
"PRINT" (print mode) display screen is displayed from the screen
display configured in the stepwise manner becomes unnecessary by
applying this embodiment.
[0055] In addition, it is possible to efficiently perform the
operations of the MFP without deteriorating the operability and the
visibility of the ordinary operation screen.
[0056] Further, it is also possible to easily notify the user who
instructed a private job of the presence of the job for the user
and of the type (attribute) of the job.
[0057] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
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